A google video about World War One. Watch it and try to listen to the words. Many of the first words are on screen.
Part One
Some people say nationalism. Each country wanted to be the leader. People were proud of their countries. Governments wanted to grow and make their countries larger. People were very nationalistic - they thought their country was not only the best, but that other countries were bad. They thought their country was always right. (Nationalism is similar to patriotism. Patriotism is 愛国心 but nationalism is more vicious than patriotism. America is very nationalistic right now.)
Some people say business. Each country wanted to increase business and trade. With the increase in competition came an increase in friction between countries. Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Italy, and the US controlled a lot of business. In fact, Germany was growing faster and was more productive than Great Britain before World War One.
Some people say alliances - treaties between countries. Both countries agree to help each other if one is attacked by another country. Today America has an alliance with Japan. If any country were to attack Japan, America would help Japan.
Some people say the military buildup. Each country was building up their military. Each country increased the number of people in their navy and army. If there was a problem with another country, the military was called. People were proud of the nation and of their army.
Part Two
The spark that set off World War One was in the Balkans. The Balkans were known as the Powder Keg of Europe because of the many nationalistic people who were very angry.
England, France, Russia. Italy, US, and Japan (Allied Powers)
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire. (Central Powers)
Austria-Hungary and Serbia often fought wars. One war was about business. Another war was fought in 1912 between the Ottoman Empire against Serbia and Greece. Some people say World War I was a continuation of this 1912 Balkan War. (In Japanese)
When Gavrilo Princip (second from right in the picture, getting arrested) a Serbian, killed the archduke of Austria, Franz Ferdinand, in Saravejo, Austria-Hungary demanded that Serbia become part of Austria-Hungary. Of course, Serbia refused. Austria-Hungary invaded Serbia. Because of all the alliances: Germany helped Austria-Hungary. Russia helped Serbia. France helped Russia. And England helped France. Because of nationalism, business competition, alliances, and the military build-up, World War One began. Eventually, Japan and the US would help France, England, and Russia.
In the end, over 14 million people (about the population of Tokyo; 10% of the population of Japan) died.
But also, empires died. The Ottoman Empire ceased to exist after World War 1. The Austria-Hungary empire ceased to exist. The Russia empire ceased to exist. The Russian Revolution, lead by Vladimir Lenin (at left), occurred in 1917, before the end of World War 1.
And Germany, which was a democratic kingdom ruled by the Kaiser (from the Roman word Caesar), changed very dramatically. Dramatically enough to elect Adolph Hitler to power.
World War One, World War I, WWI, and The Great War are all the same war.
